Lockey Pylon to Blackheath Station

2 Days

16.5 km One way

1295 m

Hard track

This walk starts in the low heath and cliff views of Lockley Pylon. The pylon, and other notable features, can be seen along the track, while the descent down to the Blue Gum Forest provides plenty of photographic opportunities. After camping overnight at Acacia Flats, the walk heads out via Govetts Leap and Pope’s Glen, visiting many little cascades and the awesome Bridal Falls. A great overnight walk.

Free Beacon Hire

A Personal Locating Beacon (PLB) is a hand-held device that, when triggered, sends a message to the emergency services with your location. The emergency services staff can then look at your trip intention forms and decide how best to help you. In the Blue Mountains, you can borrow these for no charge, just complete this Trip intention form, and a borrowing form. The device can be picked up from:
NPWS Office – Govetts Leap Rd Blackheath – 9am to 4pm 7 days Ph: 02 4787 8877
Katoomba Police Station – 217 Katoomba St Katoomba – Anytime Ph: 02 4782 8199
Springwood Police Station – 4 Jerseywold Avenue Springwood – Anytime Ph: 02 4751 0299
More info.

(0km) Lockley car park → Mt Stead Trk

1.8 km

42 mins

113m

-67m

Hard track

From the car park, this walk heads past the sign for ‘Lockley Pylon Track’ and another sign with a map on it. The track leads up a slight hill to tend right, along the edge of a spur. The track slowly climbs to the southern pinnacle (rocky outcrop) and then continues approximately 100m to the intersection below the middle pinnacle.Veer left: From the intersection, this walk keeps the Pinnacles above to the right of the track, passing the most northern Pinnacle before coming to an intersection.Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads up the hill away from the Pinnacles. The track then descends a further 100m into a sandy and flat saddle, until the track rises out up the next hill. The track ascends the hill to gently undulate across the plateau, through the trees. The track then opens out onto a clearing where it continues up the hill for approximately 200m to the intersection on the next rise. The intersection is marked by a rocky outcrop to the left of the track.

(1.83km) Mt Stead Trk → Lockley Pylon

1.5 km

35 mins

78m

-72m

Moderate track

Continue straight: From Mt Stead, this walk heads towards the surrounding valleys, leaving the rock feature behind on the left of the track. The track enters the tree line on the other side of the knoll and meanders through the trees for approximately 400m to open out onto a clearing. The track heads down through the clearing to pass to the right of two knolls. The track crosses the saddle and heads up the stairs on Lockley Pylon to a sign marked intersection.Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the sign to ‘Lockley Pylon’ up the wooden stairs to the summit of Lockley Pylon. This is marked by a stone cairn.

Lockley Pylon

Lockley Pylon, Blue Mountains National Park, gives 360 degree views of the Mt Hay area with excellent scope over Fortress Creek Waterfall and into the Grose Valley.

(3.36km) Lockley Pylon → Int. Du Faur Head Trk and Lockley Pylon N Tk

90 m

4 mins

0m

-24m

Moderate track

Turn around: From the cairn on top of Lockley Pylon, this walk heads down the wooden stairs away from the valley. The walk heads down the stairs to a signposted intersection.

Hard track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk goes down the stairs to a creek, leaving Lockleys Pylon behind on the left. The track crosses a creek and meanders across a saddle and past a void in the rock before traversing several rocky knolls. The track then drops down a rock step and very soon comes to an intersection in a rocky saddle (marked with white paint).

(4.11km) Int. Lockleys Pylon and Du Faur Head Tracks → Du Faur Head

90 m

2 mins

1m

-19m

Hard track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads up the hill for approximately 20m to a rocky outcrop with stunning views down the Grose Valley. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn right.

Du Faur Head

Du Faur Head, Blue Mountains NP, is situated north of Lockleys Pylon. The knoll gives spectacular views up and down the Grose Valley and River. Du Faur Head is worth a visit on your way up or down to Blue Gum Forest from Lockleys Pylon.

Hard track

Veer left: From the intersection, this walk drops between a break in the rock, descending steeply left down the cliff line, keeping the cliffs on the left of the track. From the bottom of the cliffs, the track tends right, down the hill for a short time, then steeply descends a spurline down into the valley. After some time, the track comes to a fallen log and turns right to climb down off the spur. The track meanders from the hill across the grassy and ferny vegetation of the creek flat, then crosses Govetts Creek. There is a fallen log upstream which many walkers have used to cross the creek. The track then winds through more grass on the creek flat before coming to a signposted intersection.

Blue Gum Forest

Blue Gum Forest, Blue Mountains NP, is a large stand of Eucalyptus deanei trees on the junction of the Grose River and Govetts Creek. The magnificent trees stand tall on the flats with low vegetation beneath. The trees of Blue Gum Forest represent the protection efforts of Myles Dunphy, who lead a group to raise the 130 pounds required to buy the Blue Gum Forest – quite a sum in 1931 during the depression – and save it from being cleared. The group were successful and the Blue Gum Forest is now protected within the Blue Mountains National Park. More info.

(5.88km) Blue Gum Forest intersection → Acacia Flats Camping Ground

610 m

10 mins

4m

-4m

Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the sign ‘Camping only at Acacia Flats’, heading downstream. The track tends right, away from the Grose River and towards the hills on the right. The walk then heads downhill and across a small creek, after which it meanders for approximately 100m before arriving at Acacia Flats camping area.

Acacia Flats Camping Ground

Acacia Flats Camping Ground, Blue Mountains NP, is situated on the floor of the Grose Valley between Perrys Lookdown and Lockley Pylon. The camp ground is approximately 50m from Govetts Creek and approximately 500m upstream from Blue Gum Forest. Acacia Flats Camping Ground is appropriately named after the dense population of Acacias found in this area. Acacia Flats is a wonderful area to camp with tall shady Blue Gums and level grass clearings which make for a great place to pitch a tent. There is a pit toilet and sitting logs to make camping more comfortable, and plenty of room for large groups. Water is available from Govetts Creek (treat before drinking).

End of day 1

This is the planned overnight stay for the end of day 1, happy camping.

(6.49km) Acacia Flats Camping Ground → Junction Rock

3 km

1 hr 2 mins

130m

-80m

Moderate track

Continue straight: From Acacia Flats camping area, the walk leaves the camping area with the Grose River far to the left and the majority of the camping areas to the right of the track. The walk passes a pit toilet on the right after approximately 100m. Continuing along the creek flats before climbing up a small hill, the track contours and undulates for approximately 600m to round a hill which gives views of Pulpit Rock above on the cliffs. The track turns right to climb up the hill, and then left to contour for some time. As the slope lessens, the track descends to the creek bank, which is on the the right. The track continues to contour for approximately 1km just above the creek, on a steep bank which has minor undulations, until it comes across a clearing with a ‘No Camping’ sign. The track turns left here and descends to the creek bank at a signposted intersection of Junction Rock. Junction Rock ‘intersection’ sits in the middle of the creek.

Junction Rock

Junction Rock, Blue Mountains NP, is a rock situated in the middle of the Govetts Leap Brook and Govetts Creek junction. The rock is signposted, giving directions to Evans Lookout, Neates Glen, Acacia Flats and the Blue Gum Forest. Junction Rock is a great place for lunch and a swim in summer.

(9.46km) Junction Rock → Bottom of Govetts Leap falls

2.4 km

1 hr 15 mins

390m

-22m

Moderate track

Veer right: From Junction Rock, the walk follows the ‘Govetts Leap’ sign, soon crossing the brook. The track then follows the brook for approximately 150m, to another creek crossing. The track continues, with the creek now on its left, for approximately 60m, before crossing back to the other bank. The track continues for approximately 1km with the creek to the right, and undulates steeply in sections between magnificent waterfalls. A section of track traverses a rock shelf for a short stretch, before continuing to wind up and down (with the creek to the right) to a few sets of steeply-cut stairs. From these, the walk continues to wind over hills to a creek crossing. The track then heads up the spur, winding between views of waterfalls, before tending left further up the hill. The walk leads up the winding steps for some time, until crossing the creek at the bottom of a waterfall cascading off the large cliffs – Govetts Leap falls.

Govetts Leap (falls)

Govetts Leap, is a waterfall in the Blue Mountains National Park. The fall is fed by Govetts Leap Brook which runs over the cliff into the Grose Valley. The falls are best viewed from Govetts Leap and Barrow Lookouts. Leap is a scots dialect word for cataract or waterfall.

(11.82km) Bottom of Govetts Leap falls → Govetts Leap Lookout

610 m

42 mins

305m

-61m

Hard track

Continue straight: From the bottom of Govetts Leap Falls, this walk heads north-west, following the blue signs up the hill. The track zigzags its way steeply up to a wall of rock covered by moss, ferns and grasses. The track passes along the base of this cliff to a metal staircase, passing through the rock. The track continues to wind steeply below the cliffline, passing two lookouts before coming to the signposted intersection.Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the sign to ‘Govetts Leap carpark’ up the stairs. The walk zigzags up the hill before tending left to the signposted intersection.Turn left: From the intersection, this walk heads across the grassed area towards a platform structure. The walk climbs some stairs onto Govetts Leap Lookout, with its great views and sandstone monuments.

Govetts Leap Lookout

Govetts Leap Lookout is named after the first European man to have enjoyed this view, William Govett, as an assistant surveyor in June 1831. Govetts Leap Lookout offers wonderful views over the Grose Valley and the spectacular Bridal Falls. The word `leap` is an old Scottish word meaning waterfall. The lookout is easily accessed from the car park

(12.42km) Govetts Leap Lookout → Horseshoe Falls Lookout

340 m

11 mins

23m

-62m

Hard track

Turn around: From Govetts Leap Lookout, this walk heads down the stairs at the edge of the lookout, keeping the valley to the right. The walk then crosses a grassed area to a well-signposted intersection on the edge of the tree line.Turn left: From the intersection, this walk heads down some stairs, keeping the valley to the right. The walk turns right over a bridge, continuing around the hillside to drop down onto a viewing area and intersection.Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads down steep stairs, keeping the valley to the right. The track then winds along the cliff top until coming to an intersection, near Horseshoe Falls Lookout.

Horseshoe Falls Lookout

Horseshoe Falls Lookout, Blue Mountains National Park, is a small fenced lookout. There are views down to Horseshoe Falls and across the Grose Valley.

Horseshoe Falls

Horseshoe Falls, Blue Mountains National Park, are sourced by Popes Glen Creek which runs over the cliff into the Grose Valley. The Horseshoe Falls seem to be named after the shape of the valley into which they drop.

Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads along the cliff top towards Horseshoe Falls, with the valley below to the right. The track winds for some time around the hillside, to a lookout on the right, before continuing around to a railing some steep stairs. The stairs lead to Popes Glen Creek, where the track continues through the ferns to meet a street sign.Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the sign to ‘Popes Glen’ keeping the creek below on the right. The track continues for approximately 100m, rising to the left of a prominent rock feature. The walk passes another track on the right (with access to the creek), then continues to rise past the rock feature (on the right – The rock feature has a trail to its top.) This walk continues from the rock feature, heading down the hill to a signposted intersection.

(13.2km) Int. Popes Glen Trk and Boyd Bch Trk → Boyd Beach

40 m

1 mins

0m

-3m

Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads down the hill following the ‘Boyds Beach’ sign (under the bush). The walk winds down the rocky steps for approximately 40m to Boyd Beach. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Continue straight.

Boyd Beach

Boyd Beach, Blue Mountains National Park, is a small sandy bank on Popes Glen Creek. The beach is a quiet spot with nice ferns and shade. The beach is a short distance from the Popes Glen track.

Moderate track

Turn left : From the intersection, this walk heads up the hill, following the arrow on the sign pointing to ‘Blackheath’. The track continues above the creek (on the right) for some time, then crosses a bridge so that the creek is now on the left. The walk crosses a second bridge, then continues for some time up a rocky hill to an intersection below power lines, with a bridge below on the right.Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads up the hill, keeping the creek below on the right. The walk soon crosses the creek at a bridge, continuing along the other side to a small waterfall (on the left). The track then continues up the hill for for a short time, passing an intersection (with access tracks to Clarence Rd). The track continues to head up the hill for approximately 300m to the intersection with Dell St.

(15.32km) Int. Pope’s Glen Trk and Dell St → Blackheath Station

1.2 km

26 mins

65m

-27m

Moderate track

Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads down Dell St, keeping the bush to the left of the road and houses to the right. The walk soon passes Cleopatra St on the right and continues along Dell St to the intersection with Gipps Lane, on the right (where Dell St changes name to Wills St).Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads along Gipps Lane, passing a large wooden house to the right of the road. The road tends left onto Robertson Lane which then becomes Wills St. The walk follows Wills Street for sometime to turn left onto Inconstant St and then right onto Gardiner Cres. Gardiner Cres is followed to the Great Western Highway, where there is a petrol station on the left. From here, this walk turns left to follow the Great Western Highway, keeping the petrol station on the left, as the walk heads towards the Gardners Inn pub. This walk continues to the pedestrian crossing, opposite Blackheath Station steps.Turn right: From the pedestrian crossing, this walk crosses the Great Western Highway to turn right up the covered station steps. The walk follows the railway bridge to the top of the station staircase.

Maps for the Lockey Pylon to Blackheath Station walk

You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

12km of this walk has short steep hills and another 3.1km is very steep. Whilst another 970m has gentle hills with occasional steps and the remaining 830m is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

11km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 3.9km follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely. Whilst another 1.2km follows a smooth and hardened path and the remaining 75m follows a clear and well formed track or trail.

Signs

14km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection and another 1.7km is clearly signposted. The remaining (660m) has minimal directional signs.

Experience Required

Around 12km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 4.6km requires some bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 16km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

13km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced) and another 2.4km has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged). The remaining (1.4km) is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Lockey Pylon to Blackheath Station walk.

Fire Danger

http://new.wildwalks.com/wildwalks_custom/includes/walk_fire_danger.php?walkid=nsw-bmnp-lptbs
Each park may have its own fire ban, this rating is only valid for today and is based on information from the RFS Please check the RFS Website for more information.